Geneva Powers

On Saturday, April 25, 2015, our Geneva departed this earthly world and home to go sing with the heavenly choir. Geneva Irene (Umbaugh) Powers was born on January 15, 1943 in Fayetteville, Arkansas to Richard G. Umbaugh and B. Juanita Shinpaugh Umbaugh. Geneva was preceded in death by her parents and by her grandparents, J.C. and Maggie Shinpaugh and Loy and Myrtle Umbaugh. Geneva is survived by her husband of 49 years, David, son, Travis L. Powers, grandchildren, Caylan and Jordan Powers, sister, Jo Anne U. Franco, and nephews Gino and Jon Franco, all of Springdale, and niece Maija Kreishman of Austin, Texas. Geneva graduated from Springdale High School in 1961 and from the University of Arkansas in 1965 with a BSE in Music Education, magna cum laude, and she earned a Masters of Music in Voice in 1970. While at the University, she was a member of the U of A Schola Cantorum. In 1962, she traveled with Schola Cantorum to Arezzo, Italy where the choir won first prize in an International Polyphonic Acapella Music Competition. On the choirs return trip to Arkansas, they were invited to the White House, where they were introduced to President John F. Kennedy in the Rose Garden. Geneva was the first Director of the Arts Center of the Ozarks at its present location from 1973 to 1978, and along with Lee Zachary and the Springdale Chamber of Commerce began development of the Arts Center into the viable facility that it is today. Geneva was also the Chancel Choir Director at First United Methodist Church in Springdale for 25 years. She started her public school teaching career at Springdale High School in 1965-66, where she began the choral music program. She taught Choral Music for a total of 25 years in the Springdale School System, teaching at both Central Junior High and Springdale High School. After her retirement from the school system, she continued teaching private voice lessons and assisted in the public school program, preparing students for contests and festivals. During her teaching career, Geneva touched thousands of music students' lives - introducing many to vocal music for the first time, encouraging others to continue in their development and working with many to receive college scholarships. While serving as a choral director, the choirs directed by Geneva were recognized throughout the state and region as superior performing groups. Her choirs performed at numerous conventions of the Arkansas Choral Directors Association and were named Best of Show several times at the World's of Fun Festivals in Kansas City. Geneva served in many offices of the Arkansas Choral Directors Association, and she was named Outstanding Jr. High Choral Director in Arkansas. Visitation for Geneva will be Tuesday, April 28, 2015 from 4 to 7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Springdale. Funeral services will be Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Springdale with Rev. Judy VanHoose and Rev. Carl Palmer officiating. Burial will follow in Bluff Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Geneva Powers Memorial Scholarship for a Springdale Public School Music Student, 804 W. Johnson Ave., Springdale, Arkansas 72764. Online condolences may be left at www.siscofuneral.com.